Rafa Benitez is expected to reiterate his plea to Mike Ashley and managing director Lee Charnley to get deals over the line in time for January 20.

Benitez is believed to have presented deals to his board but has been unable to get them signed off and is still to learn of his final budget for this window.

Ashley returned to the country this week with fans also eager for news on a takeover deal. The ongoing saga is now rumbling on behind the scenes and through the law offices of the Toon owner and Amanda Staveley and PCP Capital Partners.

Newcastle United managing director Lee Charnley (Image: PA)

The Newcastle United boss will make his next public appearance at his weekly Press briefing at the club’s Benton base ahead of the clash with Swansea City.

But the Magpies are now just nine days away from Benitez’s self-imposed deadline on winter transfers and fans are understandably anxious over the prospect of incoming business.

The club’s magnificent fan-base have watched on as the likes of Everton, Huddersfield, Arsenal, Liverpool and Stoke have got new faces through their doors.